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HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 3-31-86 BY 9145-C1-JC 262.646 Classified by: 9145-C1-JC
Declassify on: OADR 4-02-86 262.646 ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED EXCEPT WHERE SHOWN OTHERWISE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONForm No. 1This case originated at: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA --- File No. 97-9
REFERENCE: XXXXX DETAILS: This case was originally called to the attention of the San Francisco Office by XXXXX who stated that the Collector of Customs, San Francisco was holding a large quantity of certificates which had been sent to this country by the Japanese Government for distribution to donors of funds for the Japanese Navy. XXXXX, Customs Agent, examined, with the writer, ten bundles of certificates, each containing approximately 1,000. Photostatic copies of a sample of the certificates, which were all identical, with the exception of the name of the donor, have been prepared and have been placed in the San Francisco file of this case, together with a specimen translation which has been prepared by XXXXX. Five photostatic copies of a specimen of the certificate are being forwarded to the Bureau with their copies of this report. The certificates translated read as follows: (after the name of the individual for whom intended: Each certificate bore the seal of the Japanese Navy Minister in a square at the lower left hand corner. The writer and XXXXX examined the tops of the two containers in which these items were received. They were addressed in English to "Consulate of Japan, San Francisco". Above this address in Japanese was written "XXXXX." On the top of each box was burned the seal of "H. I. J. E.'s Foreign Office, Tokio." The ten bundles, as viewed by XXXXX and the writer, contained groups of certificates, for which designations had been indicated on strips of paper inserted in the bundles. Bundle # 1, Alameda, Alvarado, Berkeley, Bellmont, Chico, Colusa, Chualar, Contra Costa. All of these communities are in California.THE NEW WORLD SUN Directory for 1940 shows the XXXXX LAUNDRY to be located at XXXXX, Reno, Nevada, telephone XXXXX and its proprietors, apparently, are XXXXX. During the inspection of Bundle # 2 there was found a separate envelope on Japanese Navy Department paper containing a letter, photostatic copies of which have been placed in the San Francisco file of this case, and five photostatic copies of which are being forwarded to the Bureau with copies of this report. The translation by XXXXX of this letter is as follows: (*) Association of Japanese in America Obligated to Military Duty. There were also with this letter several mimeographed sheets which are routine forms issued by the Contribution Section of the Finance Office, Navy Department of Japan, merely stating that the addressee's contribution is acknowledged with thanks, and that an official certificate of receipt is being forwarded herewith. The San Francisco Bureau Office received from the Office of the Supervisor of Customs Agent, San Francisco a copy of the following: The box of books referred to therein was shown the writer in the Customs Store-house. It was noted that it was addressed to the Consulate of Japan, San Francisco, and likewise bore the identical seal of the Foreign Office appearing on the consignments of certificates. The books, 90 in number, were entitled "The Goal of Japan's Expansion", by TATSUO KAWAI, printed in 1938 and bearing the notation "Kanda; The KOKUSEIDO PRESS; Tokyo." A brief inspection of one of those volumes, all of which were printed in English, showed the books to be definitely propaganda literature. XXXXX stated that the Collector of Customs was holding both the books and the certificates pending a settlement of duty, inasmuch as the items did not come in the duty-free category. XXXXX stated that two of the certificates examined by his office were addressed to XXXXX and XXX-3 lines-XXX. XXXXX characterized him as a well-to-do, successful business man, who was recently presented with a gift by the Japanese Consul at San Francisco for his achievement in the field of trade. This gift had been donated by leading canning companies in Japan. XXXXX, according to XXX-2 lines-XXX. According to XXXXX the HEIMUSHA KAI is an organization mainly composed of those persons who are eligible for military conscription, but it is understood that any other Japanese may also have membership. The organization was started in California and other Pacific Coast states some time during the latter part of 1937, and has now expanded to such an extent that there are branches of it in practically every Japanese community along the entire West Coast. Its members have been contributing approximately $1.00 each monthly and have, in addition, been collecting tinfoil. They have also been responsible for the preparation of many thousands of so-called "comfort kits", large numbers of which are shipped to Japan on almost all of the out-bound NYK LINE vessels. These kits are restricted only as to size, and they contain chocolate bars, small knitted articles, cigarettes and other similar items. XXX-2 lines-XXX. The headquarters of the ZAIBEI HEIMUSHA KAI, is also at 1783 Sutter, telephone Walnut 2157 and Walnut 3232. The San Francisco Branch of the HEIMUSHA KAI is located at 1766 Buchanan Street, telephones West 1428 and Walnut 6493. The Oakland Office of the HEIMUSHA KAI is at 718 Franklin Street, telephone Glencourt 9669. In Sacramento, the HEIMUSHA KAI office is at 1309½ - 4th Street. The Marysville, California HEIMUSHA KAI headquarters are 111 B Street. The Reedley, California headquarters of HEIMUSHA KAI are at Route 2, Box 907. The Salt Lake City Office of the Utah HEIMUSHA KAI is 124 West First South. Street, telephone Wasatch 8958. In Ogden, Utah, the headquarters of the Inter-Mountain HEIMUSHA KAI are 2475 Lincoln Avenue, telephone 3874. Garfield Utah has a HEIMUSHA KAI Branch office at 6313 South 6 W Street. XXX-15 lines-XXX The State Department has in the past requested the subject association to register, but it was advised in a letter, dated October 3, 1939 from the firm of ALBERT ELLIOT and GUY CALDEN, 22 Battery Street, San Francisco, that the HEIMUSHA KAI had discontinued dealing in bonds, and was not required to register. It might be noted that XXXXX states that XXXXX handle the bulk of Japanese business in San Francisco. Upon receipt of the reference teletype, investigation was discontinued, and the case is being closed; pending further advice from the Bureau and the State Department. ENCLOSURES: To Bureau: Five copies of certificate of thanks signed by the Minister of Marine, and bearing the seal of the Japanese Navy Department, together with transactions thereof. Five copies of letter addressed to XXXXX from the Navy Department (Japanese) Finance Office, Contributions Section, dated November 25, 1939. Index cards. CLOSED
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